Hyundai produces 2 millionth car; donates it to CRY

Mumbai, Nov 13 (IANS) Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), the country’s largest exporter and the second largest car manufacturer, Thursday handed over the key of the 2 millionth car it has produced to city-based NGO CRY (Child Relief and You) as a goodwill gesture.HMIL Managing Director H.S. Lheem symbolically handed over the key to CRY brand ambassador Shah Rukh Khan, who in turn passed it on to Irwin Fernandes, director of the NGO’s West and Volunteer Action wing at a function here.

CRY is a leading advocate for child rights, which has worked over three decades to ensure children get access to their basic rights.

Commenting on the production achievement, Lheem said: “Since its inception, Hyundai Motor India has been committed to honour the sentiments and desires of the Indian customers and have always brought the best and the latest in automotive technology and design backed by the best of warranty, competitive pricing and a huge sales and service support network.

“This new record of producing the fastest 20 lakh (2 million) cars will further empower Hyundai Motor India to play a vital role in the growth of the Indian automobile industry,” Lheem added.

Hyundai rolled out the first Santro on September 23, 1998 and has achieved the production landmark in a little over 10 years.

HMIL presently markets 33 variants of passenger cars across segments: the Santro in the B segment, the Getz Prime and the i10 in the B+ segment, the Accent and the Verna in the C segment, the Sonata Embera in the E segment and the Tucson in the SUV segment.

The company registered total sales of 327,160 vehicles in calendar year (CY) 2007, an increase of 9.2 percent over CY 2006. In the domestic market it clocked a growth of 7.6 percent as compared to 2006 with 200,412 units, while overseas sales grew by 11.8 percent with exports of 126,748 units.